How to Choose an ISP: Spam Filtering

Understanding Spam

Spam used to mean that canned, mass-produced mystery meat that someone else liked. The modern version of spam—using electronics to send bulk advertisements and other messages—is just as unsavory at times. At its worst, spam clogs messaging systems like email, instant message windows, discussion forums, web windows, and even cell phones; mostly spamming is done through email and web search engines. Because it connects you to the internet, your ISP should be your first line of defense against spam.

Devious Devices Used by Spammers Today

Email spammers your email from forums where you may have listed your address, from other mailing lists, by guessing, or by using web spiders. Spammers get around filters by changing filtered words in the subject line, such as flipping two letters in a word or eliminating a letter. Some spammers place punctuation between letters as well. Examples are: crdit crd, credti card, c*r*e*d*i*t c*a*r*d. Even though email services are always trying to upgrade their filters, it seems like it’s the old mouse and mousetrap analogy—as soon as someone builds a better mousetrap, the mouse gets smarter. At the very least it’s an inconvenience—at the most, you could get a destructive computer virus or even get bilked out of your life’s savings by a scam of some kind.

Find Out What an ISP Does to Reduce Spam ... Before You Sign Up

Before you choose an ISP, find out what they do to prevent spam. This level of filter is generally good, and your company should offer it. Internet security software that you install yourself is an excellent addition, but probably won’t catch much. The best way is to trash spam before it even gets to you.

The White List

Some ISPs that offer email do this with a white list, where you enable the email addresses from which you will accept mail. Any email from other addresses will be rejected. Some also use the black list approach, where you enter addresses you want blocked—this is cumbersome for a user, as spam comes from many hundreds and thousands of different origins. And some ISPs are so good at filtering that messages you want to get are sometimes rejected—and yet other spam still makes it through.

The Final Analysis

Even so, your ISP should be making every effort to filter out unwanted emails, popup ads, and other annoying (and dangerous) intrusions. Many now offer popup blockers, Norton AntiVirus software, email spam blockers, and more. Although you might pay a little more for your ISP service, it would be worth it.